Red Green Color Blind

Still young. Unknowing. As I walk her home, the sidewalk widens

Slipping out to create a shared space between us.

I would reach out to hold her hand,

but her arms are folded. In her own world.

she tells me of her first boyfriend, the one

she broke up with after he asked to kiss her on the cheek

she makes fun of seventh grade fears of intimacy

A red light stops us before her house, I wish

i w o u l d n e v e r c h a n g e

But then

i w o u l d n e v e r b e m y s e l f